02/09/2012

Michael is a current Havertown resident, who in the summer of 2010, was a high school student looking to make the transition to work. While still attending Haverford School District, Community Integrated Services (CIS) began the discovery process led by Michael and his job coach. As part of discovery Michael did an informational interview at Havertown Health and Fitness where they met the owner, Mark Rodney. After a few meetings, Michael was able to land an internship at the gym for the upcoming school year. During the internship, Michael was able to develop great relationships with Mark and the rest of the staff members. Everyone loved his cheerful personality and his wonderful sense of humor. Michael was able to perform several tasks such as vacuuming the floor, cleaning the fitness equipment, sweeping the outside area, and wiping the mirrors. Mark considered hiring Michael right away but could not because he had a full staff and limited budget. Even though Mark did not have any positions available, he met with us several times to brainstorm ways we could create a customized position for Michael. During one meeting, we came up with a creative idea while discussing the cost of the gym’s towel service. At the time, Havertown Health and Fitness paid a laundry service company to wash the towels. The laundry service company would only wash the standard white towels, not the higher quality towels with the Havertown Health and Fitness logo. The laundry service did not want the risk of possibly losing the quality towels and having to pay to get them replaced. During the meeting, Mark revealed that the gym would benefit if it were able to clean its own towels because they would have more flexibility and they could use the higher quality towels which the members preferred. Mark stated that if he were able to get a washing machine and a dryer, he would hire Michael to wash the towels instead of paying a company to do it. Over the next few months, we used a resource ownership model to provide Michael with a washing machine and dryer. The appliances were paid for by Michael’s parents and grant money provided by the PA Developmental Disabilities Council, Employment Reform Resource Project. Michael is responsible for washing, drying and folding all the towels in the gym as well as some of his old responsibilities such as cleaning the glass mirrors and the shelves, and sweeping outside. Initial job coaching supports are being funded by the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and follow along supports are funded by the Office of Intellectual Disabilities of Delaware County, PA. Through the use of resource ownership, and partnering with several funding sources, we were able to create a job for Michael and give Havertown Health and Fitness members a better product that will enhance there workout experience.

In 2008, as a part of the Philadelphia Vision for Employment 2010 initiative, a Mini-Grant competition was initiated as a creative way to bring change to employment services and to encourage practices that better promote employment outcomes in Philadelphia. The competition was viewed as very successful and so has continued each year since with a total of 19 projects funded to date with very innovative and diverse goals and outcomes realized.

Last year, the theme of the Mini-Grant competition was Employment 1st Philadelphia and four (4) $5,000 grants were awarded to three (3) community integrated employment providers in Philadelphia. A total of three (3) projects will be awarded for this year, fiscal year 2012 with financial support to accompany increased commitments. These small projects are being supported by “Employment 1st Philadelphia” as a way to enlist interested employment providers in an innovative supported employment demonstration project.

This year, the focus of the Mini-Grant competition is on “Spreading Employment 1st.” We are looking for agencies to take part in an employment demonstration project aimed at helping identified people develop competitive employment. Proposals should reflect an increased commitment to Employment 1st principles by an earnest interest in applying best practices through customized employment strategies, involvement in a year-long training series, and the development of a Community Action Team.

A Community Action Team (CAT) is an integrated learning community representing community organizations, schools, workforce development agencies, employers, family, and friends who work one-on-one with employment seekers to discover his or her ideal conditions of employment. The group forms through a common interest in applying customized employment planning. For this project, the CAT will first assist with identifying local resources, barriers and opportunities essential to achieving outcomes. The outcome is to acquire and implement innovative employment strategies, include community members in the process, and increase the number of jobs for people with intellectual disabilities.

Please see the attached file for more information on this innovative and timely project:

10/14/2011

10/04/2011

Justin is a recent high school graduate who received traditional special education and community based work experiences. He is a customer with the local Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and he and his family chose Quest Inc. to provide his employment services. Justin started doing some assessments and appeared to be a good candidate for Customized Employment. Justin began to work with Mike Barnhart grant manager for Quest’s DD Council funded Non- segregated Employment Incentives grant with support from his OVR counselor Bill Blackway, and his mom. Mike and Justin began the Discovery process by getting to “Really Know” Justin, his skills, interests, and investigating Justin’s “ vocational themes” and “ideal conditions of employment.” Justin’s strongest vocational interests kept coming back to:

Some of Justin’s Ideal Conditions of Employment that were found included:

> Working with a limited number of people without a lot of noise> Working indoors, away from inconsistent weather elements> Working with supportive coworkers where his opinions will be listened to and valued.

Mike and Justin began to do “informational interviews” based on his vocational themes and ideal conditions of employment. Mike spends a lot of time doing community committee work including the local chamber of commerce. Through the Chamber of Commerce, Mike knew Robert Yeagley a local entrepreneur who owns a local informational technology (IT) business called Eagle Secure Solutions. Robert invited Justin and Mike to come by his place for an informational interview. Justin and Robert really hit it off and soon discovered that Justin had some true skills and a passion for working with computers. Justin was able to come back to Eagle Secure Solutions a few times and Rob began to see some marketable skills including his love of taking computers apart. Based on Justin’s skills and interests, Robert and Mike began to negotiate a new position for Justin. With support from the DD Council grant Justin was able to purchase some computer equipment (resource ownership) to help him be more productive and marketable to Eagle Secure Solutions. Justin is now working for and his job responsibilities are:

> Installing Windows Operating Systems on Computers> Backing Up Information on the hard drive to an external or remote location> Dissasembling used computers and determining fair market value for sellable parts> Identifying the problem on a computer by reading over the customers description of the problem that they bringing the computer in for> Working with Rob to remotely fix computer issues at other locations

10/03/2011

Bedford County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities (MH/ID) services has always been interested in helping more of the people they serve attain jobs in rural central Pennsylvania where typical entry level jobs are not very abundant. Bedford County has attained a Non-segregated Employment Incentives grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. Lois Frederick, grant manager is a retired special education teacher and an incredible “community leader.” Lois has been spending her time learning a lot about customized employment and how to “find the jobs behind the jobs.” Lois’s training has been funded through the PA DD Council Employment Reform Resource grant, with training provided by staff from Via of the Lehigh Valley and GriffinHammis Associates. Lois began to work with Josh who lives in a highly rural area outside of Bedford Pa.Josh has been hanging around Gary Stufft’s garage with his dad for a long time. Josh’s dad drives truck and Josh has always enjoyed the truck wash. So it seemed natural for Josh and his Discovery Team, led by Lois, to look into some possibilities in which Josh could wash vehicles. Gary’s garage is about a mile from Josh’s house and Gary welcomed Josh and Lois to come by the garage for an “informational interview.” They learned that Gary and his staff do great work fixing cars but sometimes the cars leave Gary’s garage needing a good scrubbing!! With resources provided by the DD Council, Lois and Gary were able to negotiate a new position for Josh to work for Gary washing and detailing cars. (See pictures)Resources were provided to build a car wash bay for Josh to wash cars in all kinds of weather. Soon after, Gary was awarded a contract from Bedford (MH/ID) to wash their fleet of cars, and also do some state inspection and service work. Josh learned his job with support from Gary, Lois and his step dad. Gary and his staff pick Josh up for work and give him a ride home after work. Gary is thrilled with the added value to his business that Josh has been able to supply! Josh’s motto is, “Get her done,” and he enjoys his job where he is mostly outside, around a garage, and making lots of money. His first goal with his increased wages is to “get his scooter fixed.” Congratulations Josh!

Josh using a schedule to complete all the tasks of car washing and detailing.

07/11/2011

New Business Owner:Anthony (Tony) Bush is a new business owner of Bush’s Lawn Service and currently offers lawn mowing, weed whacking, leaf raking, and garden/plant maintanence. Tony began the discovery process by showing a lot of interest and aptitude with snow removal and lawn work. Tony was hired to do some snow shoveling and excelled at this and also subbed in on the lawn crew for Bedford MH/MR.

With support from the DD council Employment Reform Resource Grant Tony has attained all of his needed equipment for lawn work, and liability insurance. Thanks to a lot of hard work from Lois Frederick from Bedford MH/MR and grant manager and Whispering Creek Foundation local entrepreneur Lynn Hocker, Tony has developed a customer list and is now actively in business! Tony really enjoys project work and being his own boss.

06/22/2011

Gina’s Closet is one of the best up and up coming boutiques in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with their unique touch of high fashions of all age. This store is the dream job for many young ladies interested in working in retail, but luckily that opportunity was first presented to one of our own, Lauren Brown. Lauren Brown started working at Gina’s Closet as a job try-out. At that time, the goal was for her to gain experience while the staff at Community Integrated Services continued to look for other employment opportunities. Lauren’s primary tasks were to color coordinate clothing, clean the mirrors, tag the new items, and vacuum the floor. Lauren loved her job so much that one some occasions she would ask to come in on her days off just to work. Within a few months, Lauren mastered all of her responsibilities within the store. Lauren could locate any item in the store, down to size, color and brand; she even offered fashion advice to customers.

Lauren was such an excellent volunteer that Dawn started to pay Lauren to work 2 days a week despite having a very tight budget. Dawn believed that Lauren was a huge asset to the store. Lauren had a great work ethic and was also able to offer insight on which clothes would be fashionable to the younger generation, which is very important in the consignment business. As time went by, Dawn noticed how much business was growing. She realized she needed more help; she could no longer do it on her own. She knew that Lauren was capable of taking on more responsibility at the store, so dawn started working together with Community Integrated Services to brainstorm ideas of ways she could expend her role. We began to consider Customized Employment to create a job that would be a good fit for both Lauren and Gina’s Closet. During this process, CIS and Dawn had Lauren try various different tasks to determine the best job within the store that fit Lauren’s strengths, needs, and interest, and also meet the specific needs of Gina’s Closet. After supervising several assessments, Dawn created a specialized job for Lauren as an administrative assistant. Lauren’s new responsibilities included organizing and documenting all sales and expenses on Microsoft Excel, contacting other businesses to gather information, and filing all documents and receipts. Lauren will also continue some of her other tasks including coordinating and organizing clothing. Dawn is working with Community Integrated Services to provide Lauren with an office, computer, printer, fax machine, file cabinet as well as many other office supplies, so that Lauren has all the tools to complete her new administrative tasks. This resource ownership has led to an increase in Lauren’s wages and will give Lauren the opportunity to use and expend her organizational and computer skills. Dawn is also increasing Lauren’s hours and has giving her a raise. Dawn is honored to have Lauren on her team, and we are so grateful that she offered this opportunity to Lauren; it has enlightened her life in so many ways.

03/21/2011

Originally from Utah, Andrew moved to Pennsylvania in 2007 and shortly thereafter began receiving vocational training services at QUEST, Inc. Andrew’s desire for community employment led to a seasonal opportunity at Liberty Tax Services in 2009 but his true gifts and passions are musical entertainment. Andrew showed a natural aptitude for the piano at a very young age which was nurtured and supported by his mother Jan. Though Andrew does not read music he has an uncanny ability to hear a song and then play it from memory. He also composes his own songs and sings.

Andrew had performed on a volunteer basis at numerous care facilities in the Lebanon area but also expressed a desire to be a paid performer. Through the use of the discovery process the Staff at QUEST, Inc. began to find opportunities in the community for Andrew to showcase his musical talents. Early in the discovery process Andrew attended an open house at a newly opened recording studio which led to two recording sessions and the production of his first demo CD. With the help of a little networking and promotion from the QUEST staff, Andrew landed his first paid performance in December of 2010. His holiday performance at Columbia Cottage was a rousing success with Andrew gaining new fans, selling copies of his CD and being booked to perform there on a regular basis in 2011.

Andrew has since been asked to perform at other local venues as well. Presently, a professional production of his CD is in the works and Andrew has expressed a desire to branch out with his musical repertoire to begin performing for children as well.

04/26/2010

When Mike was a child he attended some regular education, some special education, and mental health programs. When Mike finished his formal education in the 197O’s he reported to a Psychologist that his vocational aspirations were to become a polka D.J., a TV camera-man, dark room photography, or electronic repair work. These aspirations were deemed to be unrealistic and caused Mike to be referred to a sheltered workshop. Roughly thirty years later Mike was identified as a candidate for Via’s Customized Employment services. Although Mike had the skills for entry level service jobs his interests remained in Polka, dark room photography, television, and electronic repair work.

Mike along with his employment specialist began the Discovery process and spent a lot of time researching dark room photography (Mike had no interest in digital photography). Mike also learned a lot about television, and electronic repair. It became pretty clear that Mike’s greatest passion was Polka music and its history. We found out that Mike new a local Polka legend whose name is Jolly Joe Timmer. Joe owns a local radio station that specializes in Polka. Joe agreed to give Mike a shot at his own one hour a week radio show which was a big hit. The problem was that to maintain the show Mike needed to bring in a certain level of advertising that we never were able to meet so we had to shut down the show. Mike and his employment specialist learned a lot about the Polka business and he now had absolutely NO interest in working a regular service job.

Soon after a newer Via staff Alan Heverly had a new idea we had not yet considered. What we had found was that Polka was a big hit with senior citizens. Alan had a sister in law who was an activity director in the nursing home industry, and was always struggling to find entertainment for her customers. Alan began to contact nursing homes and senior centers about their interest in having Mike play his music. Within a few weeks Mike had started his own Polka DJ business called “Polka Mike.” Mike started out with a lot of Polka until his customers asked for big band, and dance music as well. Mike now plays Polka, Big band, dance, party, and a variety of other types of music. This spring 2010, Mike already has 7 new DJ shows scheduled at various locations. Mike is also considering adding a karaoke component to his business. Mike received financial support from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and a business loan from the City of Bethlehem to get his business started.

Mike continues to receive support provided by Via’s Employment Reform Resource project staff. Mike’s business is really starting to take off and he is ahead of schedule paying back his loan. If you might be interested in having Mike do a party you can contact his marketing director Alan Heverly at (484) 224-6280.

12/21/2009

We are pleased to announce that the Customized Employment Personnel Certificate Training Series has been approved by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification to provide continuing education credits (CRCs) to Certified Rehabilitation Counselors.The full series offers up to 51 hours general credit and up to 4 hours ethics credit depending on the length of the sessions conducted. Please pass this information along to rehabilitation counselors in your areas and in PA.

Sponsored by the

Employment Reform Resource Project

a project of the Pennsylvania Council on Developmental Disabilities

presented by

Tammara Geary

Lead Associate/Consultant,Griffin-Hammis Associates

with Corey Smith

Project Manager, VIA of the Lehigh Valley

in Bedford, PA and Lebanon/Lancaster, PA

This training series is approved by the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) and qualifies participants who successfully complete the entireseries to be awarded a nationally recognized CE Specialist certificate.

Purpose:The CE Personnel Certificate Training Series is designed to create and sustain capacity for quality Customized Employment by providing competency-based training to a cadre of community rehabilitation personnel and other stakeholders/interested parties.

Process: This is a five tier classroom curricula introducing the critical elements of both wage and self-employment.Between sessions there will be recommended readings andpractical application of concepts via field-based assignments performed during the normal course of business.The course includes pre and post testing.Classes include presentation, video, real life examples, in-class and field-based activities, inter-learner sharing of experiences, and discussion of implementation practicalities, issues, and concerns. Pre and post testing, classroom participation, and quality of implementation work and discussion will be used to determine earning the certificate as a qualified CE Specialist.